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- $Unique_ID{BRK02049}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Use of Prescribed Oxygen and Commercial Airline Regulations}
- $Subject{lung disease lungs prescribed oxygen supply commercial flight US
- airlines foreign airplanes on board oxygen supplies travel}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Use of Prescribed Oxygen and Commercial Airline Regulations
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- QUESTION: I am a lung disease patient, and regularly use oxygen at home.
- This was prescribed for me by my physician who sees me on a regular basis and
- knows my condition. I now have a very heartfelt desire to visit my children
- who live on the other coast. However I have been told over and over again
- that the airlines will not allow me to take my needed oxygen on board with me.
- Is this true? If so, why? Isn't there any way I can make this trip? Please
- help me if you can. I hope somebody will.
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- ANSWER: To the best of my knowledge, your information about taking oxygen on
- board a commercial flight is correct. Federal regulations which govern
- flights in the United States do forbid your taking your own oxygen supply and
- using it on board for safety reasons, although foreign carriers on flights
- abroad frequently do permit this. That's the bad news, on to the good news,
- which may take a bit of work to accomplish.
- If you do need oxygen on board during a flight, some U.S. airlines will
- accommodate you by allowing you to use their on-board oxygen supplies. Not
- all airlines do, and their policies do change, so you will have to make a few
- phone calls to find out which commercial airline will help. There is usually
- a fee, that ranges from $40 to $150, for this service. You will also have to
- provide a letter from your own physician that will outline your needs and
- state that your condition is clinically stable and unlikely to create an
- emergency situation. You may also need your physician to help you access the
- equipment you need in the city you will be visiting. You may be able to get
- both help and information by contacting the Air Transport Association of
- America, 1709 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006-5206.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-